The critically endangered Taiwanese salmon is one of Taiwan''s unique species, and scientists are now celebrating its growing numbers thanks to the work of conservationists.
Over four years, scientists and volunteers have released salmon into streams on Hehuanshan, in an effort to increase their numbers. And studies show: It''s working.

Conservationists carry salmon fry on their backs in a hike over the mountains, to reach the streams where they’ll be released.

At Hehuan Creek and various locations nearby, scientists and volunteers release the fry. They’ll return periodically to monitor the population.

In 2020, Shei-Pa National Park conducted a survey of the wild Taiwanese salmon, finding the population at a record high.

Chen Chun-shan
Shei-Pa National Park Administration
Our survey discovered 12,587 fish. This number was produced by all our volunteers and scientists diving in the rivers and finding them one by one, so it’s very precise.

In 2017, Shei-Pa partnered with Taroko National Park to release 4,650 salmon into Hehuan Creek, making it the site of the second largest salmon population in Taiwan. Over 6,700 salmon live in the Cijiawan Creek.

Chen Chun-shan
Shei-Pa National Park Administration
In November 2017, we started working with Taroko National Park on the fish release in the Hehuanshan area. Last year’s survey showed almost 5,000 at Hehuan Creek and almost 7,000 at Cijiawan Creek. So this is a very important release site and a successful location for us.

With little human disturbance or destruction, Hehuan Creek has proved to be a great home for Taiwanese salmon to thrive in. Scientists hope the endangered fish will even swim happier in the years to come.